Shoe-sizer.



H. E. MAINE.

SHOE SIZER.

APPLICATION man sEPT.\.1911.

Patented Jan. 8, 1918.

Sfax/@tm 123456 88 IWBIZB fff FFCE.

:HERBERTlM-AINE, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

SHOE-SIZER.

:Specification of Lettersratent.

Patented Janes, i918.

Application led'septemb'er 1, 1917. Serial No. 189,407.

' To "nZZ wh'omf'z't'may/ concern:

Be it known that I, HERBERT MAINE, `a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Providence, in Ithe county Io'f Providence, State-of 'Rhode Island, have invented -certain new and useful 'Improvements in Shoe- Sizers, of which the followingisfal specification.

YMy invention Vis 'an improved shoe-size'r for measuring the feet'and calculating the sizes of shoes required therefor. The object o'f my limprovement is to provide a device of vthis type which 'when applied to :the foot will indicate at a glance the exact 44size of shoe required without computing allowances for extra sizes between the length 'of the foot and the length 'ofthe-shoe. Another object ofthe improvement ist'o Yprovide for "a more convenient reading loftheshoe size ywithout liability of error or inaccuracy.

The invention is fully described inthe fllowing specification, 'illustrated by thegaccompanying drawings, in v`which like reference characters designate like parts. 11i-'the drawings z- Y l Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved shoe-sizer showing one vembodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2, a similar view showing a slightly modified arrangement fof the sizing-scale and indicator; -and -l `ig. f3, a longitudinal, side elevation of the Idevice.

Referring to lthe drawings, 'designates a flat bar or measuring-'stick on which are two `gages or blocks fCand D 'which may be applied to position against the heel and toe of fthe foot. 'lh'eheel-block C is `preferably ixedly secured at one `end of the stick B., while fthe 'toe-block D is slidabl'e thereal'ong to adapt 4it to coperate with a scale S marked -on fthe top of the st-ick. As herein shown the blocks C and D vare constructed of wood with thin strips :F Aof metal bent around 1to inclose the stick B and fastened to their ysides -by the #nails or screws The lsidcsof the meta-l strip F -on `the heel block 'C are 'secured fast tothe sides of the stick b v means of screwsy, see Fig. V3,1m hold the block in fixed position ftli'ere'on, but

. .the strip l" on the movable block D vlis free to slide along lthe stick whilelserving as a guide for the-block. Attlreloutverfend ofthe stick B is a ybutton-:like stop H 'comprising a rubber washer -h secured in place by a tack Ila. to limit -tlie--movementMof-the block D *to prevent it from sliding oit' the end of the stick. A hoe le is also provided in the vend ofthe stick B by which it may be suspended on a nail'or hook when not in use.v

Preferably the blocks C and D have relatively broad, fiat bases to provide extended bearing surfaces on the upper face of the stick B so lthat thetixed one C maybe secured more rigidly thereto and whereby the movable one D will slide more vfreely ther-ef on. On their outer sides the'blocks C and D are tapered or curved from the base toward the itop to reduce their weight, while on their inner sides their faces are straight and perpendicular to the stick B where they sit against ythe foot. The form and arrangement of the blocks C and D may be varied, however, if desired, the construction herein shown and described not being lessential t0 the present invention.

My present improvement consists particularly in the method of coperation between the Asliding block D and the scale S whereby the exact size of the shoe is indicated at the forward edge of the block when its opposite, rearward side is adjusted against the longest toe of the foot as the sole is pressed against the top of the stick with the heel against the fixed block C. The scale S is graduated in accordance with standard'sizes of shoes generally used in the trade with three sizes to the inch, the full sizes being indicated b v long marks s and the half-sizes by intermediate, shorter graduations s. yThe graduations are marked from the rear to the front Valong the scale S b v figures running in sequence from l to 13 for boys and girls shoes, and at the forward end from 1 to 14 for inens rand womens sizes.

teferring particularly to Fig. l, 'when the heel'of the foot is placed against the straight side of ythe fixed block or stop C and the sliding block D is adjusted against the end of the 'longest toe, the inner face of the block D will'register with one of the graduations on the scale S to indicate the exact length of the foot as expressed in shoevsizes. 1With allprevious shoe-sizers it is necessary to take this reading vfroin the inside vof the bl'o'ck D and to add to it 'a certain number of extra 'sizes to arrive at the size of shoe required. l`For instance, supposing the foot.VV to measure 3 sizes on the niens and woinenis' scale as indicated by the position of the block D in Fig. l. Now. if the foot is being measured-as extended, thatis` with the per son standing with his weight on it, two sizes are added to give the required shoe-size; or, in case the foot is being measured without the persons weight on it, then two and onehalf sizes are added. As shown in Fig. 1, therefore, since the block D registers with the graduation corresponding to size 3.3i, then the size of shoe required is 3 plus 2,

or plus 2.15, as the case may be. That is to 'iti yie

say, if the foot is measured olf the ground, as is the usual custom, then the fitter will add 292- sizes to the size indicated at the inner side of the block D, giving 3.1? (as measured) plus 2?? (allowance) or size 6 for the shoe required. lVith my improved shoe-sizcr this allowance or addition to the reading of the scale is not required. It is to be noted from .i easier to readv the scale S at the front of the block D than at its rearward edge, and this can be done while the device is still applied to the foot so that there is less chance for error or inaccuracy. On the other hand,

with all previous forms of shoe-sizers the gage-block must be held carefully in place while it is removed from the foot before the scale can be read. This is not only inconvenient, but tends to cause error and inaccuracies in the reading. and besides the oper ator must always make a calculation for allowances, as above explained, so that there is added opportunity for mistakes. lVith the present, improved apparatus the operator has simply to apply the fixed block C to the heel of the foot being measured. with the scale S under the sole, and by sliding v the movable block D back against the toe the proper shoe-size will be indicated at the front of the block where it can be read at a glance without chance of errorY and without requiring calculation.

In Fig. 2, I have illustrated a slightly modified arrangement of the block D and scale S whereby the structure of the device is improved to some extent as next explained: It is desirable that the block D be made of considerable width on its base in order that it will slide easily along the stick B without cramping or binding thereagainst. For this reason itis preferable to make the block vwider than two and one-half spaces on the scale S and therefore I have adopted for general use a width equal to three and one-half spaces as shown in Fig.

2. With this width of block I set the scale S one space farther down on the stick B, or, in other words, the vnumbers on the graduations are advanced one full space on, the scale in relation to the fixed block D. lV ith this arrangement, when the blockD is adjusted to measure any certain size of foot, its inner edge will-indicate one number under the correct size, but its outer edge will still give the exact size of shoe required. For instance. as shown in Fig. 2, the inner edge of the block indicates 25 sizes instead of 3%, but the outer edge is still on the mark 6 Ybecause the size of foot measured is the same as that for whichthe device shown in Fig. 1 is set. namely 3%, requiring a size 6 shoe. It will be understood, of course` that the size of the foot itself is not needed, but only the size of the shoe required to fit Vthe foot. That is to say, the shoe-'sizes are not the same as the foot-sizes, but ordinarily must be arrived at through calculation. In my present improvement the device itself performs the computation, indicating the exact shoe-size at a glance without any calculation on the part of the operator. For this reason it is much more accurate-and reliable than similar devices previously used for the salne purpose. Ilsuallv the device carries a legend at L givingl directions for using it and these are lso simple that an inexperienced person may operate it without the slightest chance of misunderstanding or mistake. As before stated. the size of shoe required is indicated instantlv without computation or calculation, and therefore the apparatus is to use. Y

Various modifications might be made in the form and structure of the parts of my device without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore. without;

much more convenient and easyv limiting myself to the exact embodiment l shown` what I claim isz- 1. In a device for measuring feet and computing the required sizes of shoes therefor,

the combination with a measuring-stick, of a heel-block fixed at one end thereof. a toeblock slidable along the stick toward and away frcm the fixed block, and a scale with which' the sliding block cooperates, said scale being graduatedin'accordance withV standard shoe-sizes and the block adapted to register with the graduations at both its`V rearward and forward sides whereby to add the allowance between the length of the footand the length of the shoe `to :indicateithe proper size of thelattcr at the front ofthe sblock in convenient reading.

2. In a shoe-sizer, the combination with a position for instant measuring-stick having a scale on its face,j

of a heel-block fixed in position at. one end of the stick, and a toe-block adjustable along the stick toward and away from the fixed block, the scale on the stick being graduated iowance is added simultaneously With the in accordance with Standard shoe-sizesl and measuring to indicate the exact size of shoe the sliding block being of a Width to adapt required Without calculation on the part of 10 its forward edge to register with a certain the operator.

5 graduation when its rearward edge registers In testimony whereof I aiiX my signature.

with the graduation corresponding to the length of the foot, whereby the extra size al- HERBERT E. MAINE.

Copies of this patent may. be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

